Home › Mammalia › Sciuridae › Persian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Persian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus)
Sciurus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Middle East, Caucasus, Turkey
DIET
Herbivorous/Omnivorous
HABITAT
Broadleaf and mixed forests
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Rodentia
FAMILY
Sciuridae
GENUS
Sciurus
📋 Description
SIZE
18-25 cm body + tail, 250-400 g
COLORATION
Grey-brown, white belly, no ear tufts
ADAPTATIONS
Arboreal lifestyle, food caching
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Broadleaf and mixed forests
DIET
Herbivorous/Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Middle East, Caucasus, Turkey
REPRODUCTION
3-6 young, 1-2 litters per year
DIET DETAILS
Nuts, seeds, fruits, insects
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, hunting
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The Persian squirrel is the only tree squirrel in much of the Middle East. It has no ear tufts and is more grey than the red squirrel.
2
It is an important seed disperser in oak and beech forests.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Black Sea coast Turkey
Caucasus Georgia
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Look for grey squirrels in broadleaf forests of the Caucasus and Turkey.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Year-round
